I put my eye up to the peephole. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was Lucas, my friend from Utah. But what was he doing here? I opened the door.

"Hey, Lucas, what're you doing here?" I asked.

"Just figured I'd come see how my best friend is doing." Lucas replied.

"But, how did you--"

"I happened to catch your brother and his family on their way to the car. They said you were staying home so I figured I'd see how you were."

"So what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I'm supposed to be visiting my cousins and my aunt and uncle. But I figured I'd come see how you were. And just between you and me, I can't stand them."

Before we continued our conversation, I felt my tail start to move around again. I asked Lucas if he'd wait out here while I went to the bathroom. I walked upstairs backwards so he wouldn't be able to see my tail. By the time I was out of sight, I started running up the stairs.

I shut the door behind me and sighed.

"Y'know, if you're gonna be part of me for the rest of my life, you need to stop being such a pest." I scolded my tail.

I didn't understand how my tail moved by itself. Since it was attached to me, I thought I would have complete control over its actions. I figured that maybe all dragon's tails were like this and that mine was no different.

I thought of how I'd be able to talk to Lucas. I definately couldn't let him see my tail, and there was no way I could make it invisible so what was I to do?

Just then, it dawned on me: I'd have to stuff it in my pants. It would hurt and it would look like I had a bump the size of my fist growing out but that was the only option.

"I'm sorry, tail. But you're just gonna have to deal with this for now, okay?" I grabbed my tail and stuffed it into my pants. I looked back and noticed the tailhole it left wasn't too big. Lucas might not see it anyways, so what did I have to worry about?

When I was sure everything was okay, I went back downstairs. I found Lucas sitting on the couch.

"Everything alright?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just having bad diarreha."

I walked over to the other side of the couch. As soon as I sat down, Lucas asked, "What's up with your butt?"

"Huh?"

"Well there's a big lump sticking out."

"Oh, that! Yeah, I think I might have some kind of hemoroid or something." I tried to make up the best lie I could.

"I don't think they can get that big..." Lucas said.

"Look can we stop worrying about my butt?!" I shouted. I was getting a little aggrivated by it.

"Well asides from the fact that I fainted at the shopping center, and that people are saying that I can breathe fire, I'm just great."

Lucas gave me a weird look. I never had a moment where I just fainted like that, and he knew me since we were in preschool so he pretty much knew me better than anyone.

"Well... can you breathe fire?" Lucas asked.

"NOOO!! I'm not a dragon or anything!" I exclaimed.

"Okay, okay. Just checking."

Just then, I could have sworn I heard ripping fabric.

"Oh, you've GOTTA be kidding me." I thought to myself.

I prayed to God that it wasn't my tail. I felt it move up my back. There was nothing I could do now. Any minute, Lucas would discover I have a tail.

I started sweating. I knew there and then that I was doomed. Lucas would think I'm a freak, and knowing him, he'd blab about it to my brother and Jessie, then I'd probably be famous as "The Boy With a Lizard Tail."

Lucas screamed. I prentended not to know what it was.

"Lucas, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Th-th-there's a SNAKE behind you!!" He screamed.

I sighed. "I guess the secret's out..."

Lucas calmed down a little. "What secret?" He asked.

I got up from the coutch amd walked in front of him until only my back was facing him.

"Hey... Titus, there's a tail on your back..." He said, confused.

"I know... it's... my tail." I said quietly.

"YOUR tail?" Lucas asked.

I walked to the kitchen. Lucas followed.

"How'd that happen? You didn't have a tail back in Utah."

"I know that!" I sighed again. "Even I don't know what's happening to me. There have been people saying that I can breathe fire. Then I somehow grow a tail that claims it's a dragon's tail. I don't even know what's gonna happen to me now."

"Yeah, but will they?! My brother and my sister in law might start to see me as a freak, they might even avoid me." I said sadly.

"All right then. This'll be our secret." Lucas said with a smile.

"Thanks, Lucas. "

We walked back into the living room.

"I have one more question. What did you mean that your tail claimed it's a dragon's tail?"

I explained to Lucas that when I first discovered my tail, it had a mind of its own. It could write, and even spell. Lucas of course, was still amazed.

"WOW! I wish I had a tail that could do all that!" Lucas exclaimed.

Lucas seemed to be excited about my new tail, but I wasn't. Not when it turns out I'll be stuck with this tail for the rest of my life.

Just then, I heard the door start to open. My brother and his family must have returned. I tried to hide my tail underneath the couch cushions. I just hoped that my tailspikes wouldn't leave any holes in the cushions.

The door slowly opened. I was sweating a little, wondering what would happen next.

"Actually.. I think it's a pretty cool name." I responded with a smile.

My tail bobbed around happily.

"Looks like my tail likes that name too."

I broke my attention away from my tail for a sec.

"So what am I supposed to do now? Just stay in this cave?" I asked.

"Unfortuately, you don't have much of a choice, Doulstraz. You can go out at night though. No one should see you."

"How won't they?! I don't have wings yet!" I excliamed.

"You never know..." Angela said with a devilish, draconic smirk.

I yawned. I didn't realize I only got a few hours of sleep. All these revelations made it difficult to think about sleep.

"Tired, Doulstraz?" Angela asked.

"Yeah. I'm going to bed."

"Okay. Good night, Doulstraz." Angela said, warmly.

I found a nest, just perfect for sleeping in. Since the nest was rounded, I slept curled up into a ball. My tail just hung there as the only thing that wasn't curled up.

As I slept, I dreamt about what was happening in Utah. I wondered how my other friends were. I wondered what happened to my old house. I wondered what happened to my parents.

I woke up with a fright. It was the same dream. I thought to myself.

I brought my head to my knees and sobbed a little. It was the same dream as the ones I've been having since I came to California.

I stopped sobbing for a sec. My legs felt strange. They felt... scaly. I got up, otu of my "bed" and walked to where there was more light. It looked as if CLAWS were growing out of my toes. My pinkie toe and my big toe were missing, leaving only three toes on each foot. I noticed on the back of my feet, there was a single claw. My feet had green scales growing on them. The scales were goring up all the way to my mid section. I knew that couldn't be good. I pulled my pants down and was shocked at what I saw.

"Did THAT have to go?" I thought to myself.

My mid section had scutes growing from it. The scutes continued, all the way to my stomach. It seemed they came from my tail as well.

I noticed my feet were larger than before. The bones in my legs looked as if they repositioned themselves. My leg bones now faced backwards. My legs also looked as if they had more muscle in them. It also appeared as if I had gained a little bit of height, however I still wasn't as tall as I previously was.

That wasn't the only new addition to me. I felt my back. Two new appendages were sticking out. I had grown a pair of WINGS! I was actually very excited. I tried flapping my wings to see if they worked. I hovered above the ground for a split second. then my wings gave out.

"Looks like I've got a bit of practicing to do with these guys." I said, somewhat proudly.

I blushed a little. I knew I wasn't fully dragon yet, but hearing that just made me feel like maybe the transformation won't be so bad.

"Th-Thanks, Angela." I said, looking down at the ground, embarrassed.

"So what are you going to do now?' Angela asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"It's already night time. Since most people are asleep, you're free to wander around California."

"I think I'm going to go back to my brother's house." I said.

"Doulstraz, are you sure?"

"My friend, Lucas will understand. Adults don't understand stuff like this as well as us, kids do. And my nephew and neice would just blab about seeing me halfway through my dragon transformation. Lucas is my only hope." I explained.

"What are you going to tell him?" Angela asked.

"I'm gonna tell him to tell my brother and the others not to worry about me, and that I'll return soon. There's some stuff I have yet to do."

"...I see." Angela said.

"This'll also give me a chance to try out my wings." I said with a wide grin.

I walked out the door to the shop. Then I opened my wings and flew off, towards my brother's house.

In less than a half an hour, I made it to my brother's house. I saw lucas, sitting on the couch. I waited until my brother and his kids were upstairs. Then I knocked on the sliding glass door.

Lucas got off the couch and came outside.

"TIT-"

I covered his mouth before anyone could hear. I told him not to yell or anything.

"What happened to you, Titus? Why are you so small now? And what's with your legs?"

"I'm turning into a dragon. I'm at least midway through my transformation." I tried to explain.

"So why are you small then? If you're becoming a dragon, shouldn't you be as tall as a house or something?" Lucas asked.

"That's the thing. When my transformation's finished, I'm gonna be a child dragon. I'll be at least the size of a dog from what I heard."

"Heard form who?" Lucas asked.

"I'll tell you later. I need you to pass on a message." I explained.

"Okay. What's the message?" Lucas asked.

"Tell my brother and his family not to worry about me. I'll be back. But I have stuff to do right now."

"Okay. Anything more my dragon friend." Lucas said.

I unfurled my wings again.

"Wait!" Lucas exclaimed.

"What's up?" I asked.

"When you become a dragon, will you still remember us?" Lucas asked.

I thought about that myself. I didn't know how to respond. I simply replied, "I'm not too sure myself."

I again unfurled my wings and flew off, into the sky. I waved goodbye to Lucas. Maybe, this would be the last time I ever saw them.

I saw Angela flying through the sky too. She dove down.

"I'm proud of you, Doulstraz. Don't worry. You WILL see your friend and family again."

I was happy knowing that I'd still see them but right now, I was more happy about this. I thought becoming a dragon would be a bad thing, but now, I was more excited than ever.

I closed my eyes and imagined myself as a dragon. "Yeah. Being a dragon. That'll be SO cool." I said to myself. I snickered to myself a little.

"You say something, Doulstraz?" Angela asked.

"Nah. Just thinking to myself."

We flew back to the shop. I wondered what would await me as my transformation continued. Lucas, Jackie, Kyle, Ben, Jessie. Please...wait for me.

I slept in my bed. Or whatever you could call it. I had been dreaming about what I'll be like when I'm fully dragon. I imagined that I'd be somewhat short since I'd be a dragon child. I dreamt that I had a long snout and two beautiful horns growing out of my head. My horns in my dream were a bloodish red. My nostrils were instead two slits in my snout.

I got out of bed. I saw that Sarah was still sleeping in the other nest. I wondered how it could be comfortable for her. Maybe she's slept like that before?

"Angela, what's going on?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"I think it's time I take you to the Dragon Realm."

"Huh? Why?" I asked.

"Don't you want to meet your parents?" Angela asked.

I gasped. I hadn't seen my parents in almost a month. I wondered if they could've really been in the Dragon Realm.

"If that's the case. Yeah! I do want to go!" I exclaimed.

"Then I'm coming too!"

I heard Sarah's voice coming from the entrance to the cave. I turned my head and saw Sarah standing right before the entrance.

"No. This is only a realm that dragons may enter." Angela explained.

"But Titus isn't fully dragon and you said HE can go." Sarah said.

"Yeah...but... you see, Titus is..."

"Please, Angela. Sarah's a good person. I don't think she'll tell any other humans." I said.

"Doulstraz, are you sure?" Angela asked.

I turned to Sarah and smiled. "When I'm near Sarah, I can tell that she's good. IF there was any decit in her, I'd know. She really DOES just want to see real live dragons." I explained.

Angela sighed. "Fine." She said.

The portal to the Dragon Realm opened up behind Angela. Angela walked into the portal.

"Titus?" Sarah asked.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for sticking up for me." She said, blushing.

"Hey. Anything for a friend."

We walked through the portal together. As soon as we entered, it closed behind us.

The three of us flew through a weird void. There was nothing. It was dark ad I could hardly see Sarah or Angela.

"We should be getting to the Dragon Realm soon." Angela said. I couldn't tell where she was, so I just followed her voice.

A minute later, I saw a big ball of light. I assumed it was the exit. I closed my eyes as I moved towards the light.

As I opened my eyes, I found myself in a field. It was beautiful. There was a small creek, as well as a bunch of caves, possibly the homes of the dragons who lived in this world.

Angela walked towards one of the caves. Sarah and I followed her. Upon getting to the entrance of the cave, Angela stopped.

"Angela? Why are we stopping?" I asked.

"Doulstraz, are you really ready to meet your parents for the first time?" Angela asked.

I didn't know what she meant by "first time". I guessed she meant the first time I'd seen them in so long. I nodded yes and we walked into the cave.

We walked through the dark cave. The light dimmed with each step we took. It was hard to see but Angela guided us. I figured since dragons lived in darkness, it wouldn't be hard for them to see where they were going.

I could hear faint breathing. Except it wasn't human. It was two dragons.

"We're here." Angela said.

The two dragons lit the torches in the cave, making it brighter.

"Doulstraz?" One of the two dragons asked.

"Angela, what's going on? Where are my parents?" I asked.

"Angela, you did a fine job of looking after Doulstraz for us." the female dragon said.

"What?!" I asked.

"Doulstraz, I'd like you to meet...your mother and father."

"What?! They can't be my parents! They're dragons! Unless you TURNED them into dragons!" I was growing furious.

"Titus! Calm down!" Sarah said, trying to help me.

"It's not true! It can't be true! If they're my real parents, then who, or WHAT, am I?"

"Doulstraz...I guess we should explain." The dragon, claiming to be my father said.

"You see, Doulstraz, you were born a dragon."

"That can't be!" I Shouted. "All my memories are of my life as a human. Tell me how I'm a dragon if I don't have any memories of being one!"

"It's simple." The dragon, claiming to be my mom explained. "You were too young to remember. You were sent to the Human Realm because a great tragedy happened shortly after you were born. Cruel humans took baby dragons from their families. They were taken back to the human realm and sold into slavery."

"They were...?". I said. It sounded hard to believe, but what reason did I have not to believe them on this. They wouldn't make up something as horrible as that.

"We sent you through the gate that connects the human and dragon realms because we felt you would have a better life. Anything to get away from being a slave."

I lowered my head. Tears flowed out of my eyes. IF this was true, then my whole life was a lie. But how could it be? My human parents always told me stories of how Ben and they would hold me after my birth. I remembered how protective Ben was of me and how he always stuck up for me. I remembered when I was just four years old, it was my birthday and he bought me Flame. I also remembered when he told me he was going to collage and he wouldn't see me for a long time. I remembered waving goodbye, tearfully as he drove off for collage. I also remembered that as long as I had Flame, I would never be truly sad since it felt like Ben was always there, looking after me.

I brought my arm to my eyes. I tried to hide my tears as I sobbed uncontrolably.

"Titus.." Sarah said. I could sense sympathy in her voice.

"It can't be true! It can't be TRUE!" I exclaimed, tearfully.

Sarah turned to the two dragons. Now I sensed anger and sympathy. I didn't know how I could feel these feeling from people. Maybe this was how dragons were.

"You're NOT Titus' parents!" Sarah exclaimed.

"Titus' parents were there for him, they protected him, they showed him love and appricieaction. You two gave him up instead of trying to fight for him!"

"Th-There was nothing we could DO! We had to do what was best for him!" The mother dragon exclaimed.

"And look what the result was. You tore him up inside. Y'know, Titus taught me a valuble lesson when I met him. Family is not about whose blood you share. It's about the people who were there for you. The people who took you in and who raised you. I don't have any blood realitives anymore but I got something better: I got a brother! And his name is Titus Flamel! He's not the dragon named Doulstraz! He's Titus Flamel! A human in the human realm! And he's...my dear brother." Sarah said, sounding like she was about to cry too.

"Sarah.." I said to myself. I ran out of the cave, still covering up my eyes.

"Titus.."

I sat on the grass. My finned ears flattening again as well as my wings. Sarah walked out of the cave and sat down next to me.

"I just can't believe what they're saying. Abadoning me as a dragon and then making up some crap lie about how they couldn't do a thing to protect me." I said a little more calmly now.

"Are you okay, Titus?" Sarah asked.

I sighed. "I dunno. I don't even think I know who I am anymore. Am I really a dragon? Or am I a human who's becoming a dragon?"

Sarah wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me.

"It doesn't matter what species you really are, Titus. You are who you are. You are who you want to be. At least. That's how I think it works."

"Sarah...thanks, sis." I said. I brought my arms and hugged her too.

Morning came to the Dragon Realm. The dragons with Angela walked out of the cave to see us off.

"Doulstraz..." The mother dragon said.

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry for everything I put you through. If you don't want to come back then... I want you to have a good life. With your family."

I sniffled a little. "Thanks...mom." I said. I ran to my mom and gave her a hug. This time I couldn't hold back my tears at all. My mom wiped the tears away with her snout.

"Doulstraz." My dad said. "I'm so proud of you. You're turning out to be a really good dragon. I hope you can continue to enjoy life in the human realm. Even if you know where you really came from."

"I will." Was all I said.

"Wait!" Angela said. "We can't leave yet!"

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because...there's something I need to show you."

Angela spit somethign out of her mouth. It landed on the grass. I picked it up. It felt gross since it was covered in dragon saliva.

After wiping the saliva away, I noticed what it was: a picture! It was a picture of my dragon parents...and a little baby dragon riding on my father's head.

"Is...is this little dragon...me?" I asked.

Angela nodded a yes.

"I see. I'll always treasure this picture."

The portal opened up again and Angela and Sarah walked through first.

"Bye, mom! Bye, dad!" I said, waving goodbye. I ran back to them one more time to give each of them a hug. Then I ran for the portal, which closed behind me. I could hear their last words to me:

"Take care, Doulstraz... our son."

I smiled to myself. "Take care..." I said quietly.

I flew through the portal with Angela and Sarah back to the human realm.

"Titus." Angela said. This was the first time since we first met that she called me Titus.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"You realize now what started your transformation, right?" Angela asked.

"I always thought it was my plushie." I said.

"No. You're becoming what you always were in reality. And when your transformation is complete, I bet your parents will be proud of you."

"Which ones?" I asked.

"I bet both would be." Angela said, smiling warmly at me.

The ball of light appeared in front of us and we ended up back in the human realm. I figured there was only one thing left to the key to my past: And that was to ask Ben what he knew about when I was a dragon. But I knew I'd have to wait until my transformation was over. I decided I would try to enjoy the rest of my transformation. I knew that mom and dad, both my human parents and my dragon parents, would be watching over me. Kepping a close eye on me as my transformation neared its conclusion.

We walked around the shopping center for quite some time. There seemed to be quite a few nice stores around. Mostly clothing stores but they also had stores for games and other stuff I thought was cool.

I held the plushie I had just bought tightly in my arms. It probably looked weird seeing a boy in his early teens walking around, hugging a stuffed animal but I didn't care. I just wanted to enjoy this moment while it lasted.

When I was just nine years old, I was on a road trip with my parents. We were going up to our lodge for vacation. By the time we got out, I had realized I lost Flame. My parents looked around for it but said it wasn't around here. I remembered how sad and teary eyed I was. But now, I got a new Flame. I knew he wouldn't replace the old Flame but at least he would always remind me of him, my dear friend, Flame.

We walked inside and sat down. Then we ordered our food. I was going to have a cheeseburger and fries, my brother just wanted a soda, the kids were going to have veggie burgers(as suggested by Jessie), and Jessie also had a soda.

"Hey, Uncle Titus?" Jackie asked.

"Hmm?"

"Why are you hugging that toy?"

"Because it reminds me of a toy I had when I was your age. That toy was my best friend growing up."

"What happened to it?" Kyle asked.

"When I was nine years old, I went on a trip with my parents. I don't know when it happened but... I.... lost him." I started feeling sad again.

I rested my head on the table and looked outside. I wondered how everyone back in Utah was. I wondered if I'd hear from them again.

Our food came and we got down to eating. The kids were grossed out by the veggie burgers but they knew they wouldn't get dinner if they didn't eat their lunch. I grabbed a fry and slowly chomped away at it.

A bit later. As I was halfway through my lunch, I felt a painful twist in my stomach. I thought it was nothing and as soon as it was gone, I went back to eating.

As soon as we were done, we paid for the food and headed out the door. Once outside, I clutched my stomach in pain. I bended over to try to not make it so painful for me.

"Titus, are you okay?!" Ben asked.

The pain was truly unbearable. I passed out, as I fell to the ground, it felt like my mouth was burning. I overheard some people talking.

"Did that kid just shoot fire from his mouth?"

"What IS he?"

Then everything was silent.

By the time I came to, I was in my room. I was back at my brother's house. I opened the drapes. It was dark. That's strange. I thought to myself. It was barely noon when I fainted. Was I really out for THAT long?

I walked over to my desk. I wondered how my brother got this room ready for me. I hadn't seen this room when I was upstairs.

On the desk was the bag my plushie came in. The plushie and the piece of paper were both rested in the bag. I pulled both out and opened up the paper. It wasn't a recipt. It was a note.

I know what you're going through, and I'd like to help. You've been a victim of a most unfortunate fate. Losing everything you ever cared about. I want to help make it better for you. I know this dragon won't be enough to make it better for you, so I've given you another gift. It won't show itself yet. It's something that happens over time. I hope that this gift will be enough to turn things around for you.

Sincerely,Angela Dragonwings.

P.S. I'm a dear friend of your parents. they've entrusted me to look over you. We will meet. But not just yet. I've still got stuff to do.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Something that happens over time?" I thought to myself. "And who's this Angela DragonWings? Mom and Dad never mentioned her before."

Just then, I felt a shiver in my left leg. I felt something slimey work its way up my leg. I jerked my head around. It was a SNAKE! How'd a snake get in my room?! I was scared. I tried to keep myself from screaming so I wouldn't wake up everyone else.

I examined the snake. Strangely enough, it didn't behave at all like the snakes I had seen. Its head(Or whatever it was) bobbed around, like it was happy.

"What are you?" I asked.

The snake-like creature grabbed a pencil and some paper. It started to write something down.

"T..A..I..L." I followed along.

"So you're just a tail. Alright, so whose tail are you?"

It wrote "YOUR" in front of "TAIL".

"Your tail?" I asked it. I didn't understand what it meant.

It grabbed the pencil again and wrote "IM." In front of "YOUR TAIL".

"I'm your tail?" I finally figured it out.

"What are you talking about? I'm a human. Human's don't have tails."

I felt my back just to be sure. I was shocked. The tail didn't belong to some weird creature after all. It DID belong to me.

"No...Way..." I said speechless. "I can't have a tail. And especially a lizard's tail."

The tail, MY tail grabbed the pencil one more time and wrote "DRAGONS TAIL".

"Okay. So you're a dragon's tail. But why are you attached to me? I'm not a dragon."

Once again, it wrote, "I'M PART OF YOUR TRANSFORMATION".

"My transformation? What tranformation?" I asked.

The tail dropped the pencil and fell with a thump to the ground. Was it just playing stupid or something?

I picked up what was supposed to be my tail and tugged on it. I felt a tug from my back. The tail seemed to have sprung to life again. It wagged around for a while.

"No way." I thought to myself. "Why would I have a tail?"

I tried to go back to sleep. But that was hard since I was sleeping on my tail. I rolled over on my back. It was uncomfortable but I figured I'd have to sleep like this for some time.

It was ten o' clock. My brother knocked at the door which woke me up. He asked me if he could come in?

"Just a second, bro." I said in a panic. I tried to hide my tail underneath the sheets. It was a pretty long tail. At least the length of my body but I was able to hide it underneath the sheets. I placed the pillow over it so it wouldn't look likt a snake with spikes growing out of it was in my bed.

"Well you seemed to have nerviousness in your voice so... I just figured."

"No I was just getting some clean clothes on and I didn't want you to see me..well..you know."

"I know. I respect your privacy. I just wanted to let you know that we're going to get breakfest and we were wondering if you'd like to come?"

"Uhh no thanks. I'm working on something for one of my friends back home." I lied.

"Okay. We'll see you soon." And with that, Ben and everyone else walked downstairs. I waited until they were all completely out the door before getting out of bed.

I walked downstairs, my tail following behind me. It didn't wag around like it did before. Instead, I could hear it slapping the stairs with each step I took.

I sat on the couch. I wondered how I had just somehow grown a tail. I also felt a little guilty for lying to Ben. But he'd probably think I was nuts if I told him I had just sprouted a tail that's the same length as my body.

I picked up my tail again and held it in front of me.

"Alright, so you're my tail, and you seem to have a mind of your own, so explain some more stuff to me! Like why I fainted in the shopping center, and why people were saying that I could breathe fire."

My tail didn't respond. I let it go but all it did was wag around some more.

I sighed. It was still hard for me to believe that a green tail, claiming to be my own, actually WAS my tail. Even if all the evidence was in front of me.

I heard the door knock. I hid my tail again. I figured it was my brother again but whoever it was kept knocking. I decided to get up to see who it was. I put my eye through the peephole. But what I saw shocked me.

"That's what's confusing me. I've got a tail but I shrunk to the size of a little kid. So am I becoming a crocodile or a little boy? Or am I becoming a little boy with a croc tail?" I asked.

"Not at all. You're not becoming a crocodile. You're becoming a dragon."

"What?? Are you nuts? Dragons don't exist. This probably doesn't exist. Maybe I'm still at home, with my mom and dad, and I'm dreaming all this."

"Well if it's a dream, you won't feel pain. So try giving your tail a little tug." She instructed.

I brought my hands to my tail. As she told me to, I yanked on my tail. It was a bit painful. She was right. This IS'NT a dream.

"Okay. So it's not a dream. But how am I supposed to believe that dragons exist? Do you have proof?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. Follow me."

I followed her into the stock room. As I entered, I noticed something different about it. This wasn't a stockroom at all. It was a cave! What was a CAVE doing in a store?

Angela walked into the darkness. She told me to stay where I was. A moment later, I saw something move. It was a DRAGON!

"See, Titus? I'm the proof."

"Y-You're really a dragon..."

"Yes. I come from a realm where dragons live peacefully. A realm of only dragons."

"So, uh, Miss Dragon..." I started to say.

"You can still call me Angela. But that's not my real name."

"Okay, Angela. Are there any other humans who know about this realm?" I asked.

"There IS one. He was turned into a dragon, much like you are now. By a female dragon who was only known as Dragoness. No one knew her real name. Or what happened to the hatchling she brought back with her. They both dissapeared." She explained.

I wondered what could've happened to this other guy. And a dragoness whose real name was never known. Seemed kind of hard to believe.

I tried forgetting about that and focused on my own transformation.

"Alright. Now here's my question." I said.

"Go on.." Alngela said.

"Why have I shrunk? You never answered that part." I asked.

"I already told you. It's because you're becoming a dragon."

"But what does me shrinking have to do with turning me into a dragon?!" I was starting to get furious.

I've got a game for you guys. I've left a bit of an easter egg in this story. The first person to find out what it is will get a personal fave from me, as well as a comment on whichever of their works I like best. Happy hunting.

I hope you are doing well. How do you like the present I gave you? You're probably still wondering what's happening to your body. Meet me at the store where you bought your plush toy and I'll explain everything.

I got off the couch and stood up. It was strange. I was almost the same size as the coffee table. I was just a head taller. I figured I was probably still tired and walked upstairs.

It was kinda hard to walk up the stairs. What's going on? I thought to myself. Am I still dreaming?

I got in the bathroom and when I tried to look in the mirror, I couldn't see myself. Heck, I couldn't even see the mirror. I grabbed the stool my little nephew and neice use and stood up on it. When I looked in the mirror, I didn't see myself at all. In place of my reflection was a little kid. I was getting worried now. Was my mind playing tricks on me? There was only one way to figure out. I looked over myself again. I was only 4'8! It seemed my tail was still there, but it seemed to have shrunk along with me.

I was scared. I didn't know what I was supposed to do. My old clothes didn't fit me, and I couldn't go out naked. I figured all I could do was see if my nephew, Kyle had some clothes that would fit.

I opened the door to the kids' room quietly. I walked slowly as to not wake them up. I remembered Ben bought some clothes for Kyle this year that didn't fit him. They were too big. I rummaged through Kyle's clothes and found them. I put on his jersey, with the number 8 on the front. And I put on a pair of short legged blue jeans. Before getting them completely on, I realized my tail would need a lot of room this time. I went back into the bathroom, took the jeans off and made a tailhole large enough to fit my tail through.

I walked quietly downstairs, trying not to wake anyone up. I had to stand on my tiptoes just to reach the doorknob. It took a while but eventually I got it.

I quietly closed the door again and ran for the toy store. I hoped no one would see my tail. I'd be screwed if they did.

As I ran, I tripped and landed flat on my face. Oww! I realized that I really DID shrink after all. I got up and continued to run. I only had a few hours to make it to the toystore before Ben and the others woke up.

Two hours later, I made it to the toy store. Yet there was no one around. I leaned on the door of the toy store. The door opened and I fell backwards, landing directly on my tail.

"Can I help you, little boy?" The woman from the other day asked.

"First off I'm NOT a little boy! I'm 13! Second I'm waiting for someone."

"You're not a little boy, huh? You sure don't look 13. You look more like you're eight or seven."

The woman rubbed my head and smiled. "You kids and your stories. They're so cute!"

I looked down. I was so embarrassed. No one would be able to take me seriously. To them, I'm just a thirteen year old kid, with a tail, in an eight year old's body. Although they wouldn't see the thirteen year old me. Just an eight year old kid who's got a lizard-like tail.

I sat on my nest(which is what I decided on calling my new bed). It was only morning and I wasn't tired. Sarah and Angela went to the store to get some food. I wondered what they were getting? They didn't tell so maybe it would be a surprise.

Pondering about it made me sleepy. I started to doze off. I fell asleep.

By the time I woke up, it was around 5:30. I yawned a little and streched my legs. I hopped out of my nest and walked towards the entrance to my cave. I went out, into the store which was closed. I saw Angela and Sarah putting food away.

"Well. Rise and shine, sleeping dragon." Sarah teased.

"When'd you guys get back?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"Four hours ago." Angela said, she was in her human form.

"Hey, Angela. You didn't go out in your dragon form, did you?" I asked.

"Are you crazy, Doulstraz? I don't want to be found out. I went with Sarah in my human form."

"Besides. The grocery store's across the road from here." Sarah said.

"Heh. Oh yeah. So what food did you guys get?" I asked.

"Well we got some meat, which all dragons love. as well as some food for you." Angela said.

"Food for me?" I asked.

"Yep. Here ya go." Sarah said. She sat a bag of DOG FOOD on the floor.

"Are you crazy?!" I shouted. "I still have human tastebuds. I'm not eating dog food!"

"You're a young dragon, Doulstraz. You've got to start with baby steps." Angela said. Her mouth was full from the raw steak.

"Yeah, but...dog food? I'm turning into a dragon, not a dog! Why would I eat this stuff?"

"Children dragons' teeth aren't as strong as a grownup dragons'. The least a young dragons' teeth could do is bit through flesh. But raw meat isn't good for a young dragon's teeth like yourself. Besides, your fangs haven't come in yet."

I opened my mouth and looked in the mirror. Angela was right. My human teeth still remained.

"Well can I at least have human food? I'm not gonna eat dog food if that's what you're thinking." I said.

Angela sighed. She got up and headed out the door.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"I'm going to get you something to eat. Something that you CAN eat that isn't raw." Angela said.

Instead of turning into a dragon, Angela walked through the plaza. There must've been a restaurant around here seeing as how she usually flies when she goes to a far off place.

A good ten minutes passed, and Angela was back. She was carrying a bag.

"So what'd you get?" I asked.

She handed the bag to me. It felt warm. I took out what was in the bag.

"You...bought me tacos?" I asked.

"Those are your favorite human food, aren't they?" Angela asked.

I nodded. I sat down and started eating.

"By the way, where'd Sarah go?" Angela asked.

"She went back into my cave. She said she was going to sleep since she was stuffed."

Angela walked into her side of the cave as well. "Don't forget to turn off the lights after you're done eating." Angela said.

As soon as I was done, I was a bit tired too. I got up and put the remaining tacos in the fridge. I yawned and headed for the cave. But not before turning of the lights to the store.

I climbed into my nest and quickly fell asleep, wondering how much longer I'd have to wait until my transformation was complete.

As I slept, I dreamt about my life in the Dragon Realm. I was playing with my mom and dad. I flew around happily. My dad and I pretended to wrestle, and my mom would always help me feel better if I got hurt.

But those happy times didn't last. The cruel humans that my mom and dad mentioned signaled that they were in the Dragon Realm by killing one of the adult dragons. One of the other humans grabbed one of the baby dragons. It tried to fight back but he tazered it, knocking it unconcious.

Mom and dad took me into the mountains. A place they hoped the bad humans would never find me. The portal opened up and Mom nudged me with her snout, into the portal. I didn't understand what was going on. I flew through the portal, my body not having any control over itself as I flew through and eventually, made it to the Human Realm. I remembered a lot of trees as I felll thorugh and was knocked unconcious.

I woke up with a startle. Was that a memory of when I was a baby dragon? I sweat a little.

"Titus...what's wrong?" Sarah asked, drowzily.

"I think I had a repressed memory of when I was a dragon." I tried to explain. "I need you to wake Angela. There's something we need to do."

"What?" Sarah asked.

"I'll let you both know in a little bit."

I headed out into the store as I waited for the others.

"What is it, Doulstraz?" Angela asked.

"I need to talk to Ben." I said.

"Doulstraz, your transformation isn't over. You--"

"I know! But I just had an old memory right now. I rememeber coming into this world. I saw a bunch of trees. And then..."

"And then what?" Angela asked.

"I...lost conciousness."

"I see. It's possible Ben DOES know." Angela said.

"No. It's not possible. He DOES know. He's the one who can help me piece together the last parts of my past." I said.

"Are you really sure you want to do this?" Angela asked.

"Yeah. I won't be happy unless I can learn if this dream was actually a memory or not."

Angela and I headed out of the store. Sarah followed behind.

"Wait! I want to come too!" Sarah exclaimed.

"Yeah. Let's all go together." I said, smiling.

We flew for Ben's house. Sarah rode on Angela's back. I flew by myself. It seemed like my wings had gotten stronger. They didn't feel tired anymore.

We finally made it to Ben's house. Sarah hopped off Angela's back as she turned into her human form.

We stood at the doorway to my brother's house.

"Doulstraz...are you sure you want to do this now? There's still time. Wouldn't you rather wait until your transformation ended?" Angela asked.

To be honest, I was a little scared. I didn't know what Ben would tell me. All I knew was that eventually, I'd have to learn about my past so I figured that it'd be best to get it done now.

I gulped a little. But then I gave my answer.

"Yeah..." I said, somewhat quietly.

I knocked on the door. The door opened. It was my brother. I was more than happy to see him. I wanted to give him as big a hug, but he didn't look too happy.

"Hey! Are you the kid that stole my son's shirt?!" He asked, in an angry tone.

"No, Ben. It's me, Titus!"

"Yeah, right! Titus is 13! You're just an eight year old kid. And I gotta tell you, that dragon costume really looks fake." He said.

"I AM Titus! Something's happening to my body and--"

Ben grabbed my by the shirt and shaked me. He looked like he was getting furious. Just then I saw Lucas and yelled out to him.

"Ben! What're you doing?!" Lucas asked. "That's Titus!"

"What?" Ben asked.

He let me go as I held my throat, trying to get some air to my lungs. He allowed me into his house, despite that I didn't look much like my old self anymore.

Jessie and the kids walked downstairs.

"What's going on?" Jessie asked. "Who's this kid?"

"He says he's Titus." Ben said.

"You mean UNCLE TITUS???" The kids asked at the same time.

Jackie walked up to me. She didn't see that I was in fact who I was claiming to me.She saw me wearing Kyle's eight shirt and grew an angry look on her face.

"Thirteen years ago, when I was living in Utah, I was helping dad take some dead branches of a tree over to the woods near our house after a terrible storm. As I tossed the branches into the woods, I saw something. It looked like some kind of lizard. I hid behind a tree so it wouldn't see me. I turned my head to see what it was. I couldn't believe it! It was a living, breathing baby dragon! It didn't move. It just sat there, crying. It looked somewhat injured. I felt bad for it so I walked toward it. It saw me and got frightened so it ran off. I chased after it. I knew it wouldn't be able to survive in these woods. It was just an infant. I eventually found it. The dragon was sitting near a small lake in the woods as it cried some more. It sounded like it lost its mother and father. I tried to approach it again. This time, instead of walking right up to the little dragon, I stuck my hand out. It sniffed my hand. I told it I wouldn't do anything to harm it and it walked up to me, looked at me with its reptilian eyes, and licked my face. Then it yelled in pain. I figured its leg was badly wounded. I decided I'd take him to stay at my house until he got better."

"And that dragon...was me, right?" I asked a little nervous.

Ben said yes then continued the story.

"My mom and dad were furious because they thought I had brought home a lizard that I glued wings and horns onto. I told them to feel its wings and horns. They were amazed that it really was a dragon that I had brought home with me. They said that since the little guy didn't have a home, that he could stay with us. And from that day on, the dragon became a part of our family. Then one day..."

"One day?" Sarah asked.

"One day, as I was bringing the dragon some food, I noticed that the dragon was missing. In its place was a baby. A human baby. I picked the child up and held him in my arms. I wondered how the dragon could've changed without knowing what a human baby really looked like. But I soon figured it out as I saw a pictue my parents had of them, holding me as a baby. I figured that was how the little dragon did it. And from that day on, the dragon, which I had named Titus, was raised as my little brother, instead of my pet."

I looked down. I felt a little sad. Yet I was happy, knowing how this all really happened.

"Titus. Do you know why I bought you Flame on your fourth birthday?" Ben asked.

"Because you wanted to give me a friend?" I asked.

"No. That's only part of it. I bought you Flame because it looked like you when you were a dragon. I figured if I had bought it as a present for you, you might rememeber your true past. However, I was wrong. Instead, you would simply pretend to be a dragon whenever you went to play in the yard. I figured that might be the first step to helping you to uncover your memory." Ben explained.

I smiled. I was glad that I finally knew the truth.

"Thanks, Ben. That's what I need to know."

Just then, I clutched my stomach in pain. I fell on the ground. What was happening to me? I wondered.

My head ached as twin horns pushed their way out. I saw that my hair was falling off my head, leaving me bald.

My face grew out and pushed itself outward, becoming a long snout. The scales were beginning to take over my body. The changes caused me to pass out from the pain.

I woke up a little later. A blanket was placed over me.

"Looks like he's awake." Lucas said.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Well, Titus...you might want to see for yourself." Sarah said.

Angela brought over a mirror and held it up so I could see myself. I screamed in shock. I was now a young dragon! My transformation was complete.

That part always confused me. Just how did Angela know my parents? They were humans. How could two humans be accuainted with a dragon?

We made it back to the store. Before we could land, I saw two guys chasing a girl. I wondered what was going on.

"Angela, there's something I have to do." I said.

"You're going to try to protect that girl?" She asked.

"Yeah. I'll be back."

I jumped off Angela's back. I unfurled my wings and flapped them so I wouldn't get hurt landing.

I landed right in fornt of the two guys. The girl hid behind me.

"Little brat, get out of our way!" One of the thugs demanded.

"What're you doing to her?" I asked.

"Why should we tell a freak like you?" The other thug asked, mockingly.

That remark made me think, did I really look like a freak? As of now, I was more like a cross between a human and a dragon.

The thugs charged and knocked me to the ground. I landed flat on my tail.

The two thugs grabbed the girl as she struggled to get free. Dammit, I thought to myself. I had a near dragon's form, but I didn't know how to use my powers. There was nothing I could do to help her.

I was getting angry. I was so useless. I wanted to protect her, but I wasn't even big enough. I was just a 13 year old the size of an 8 year old.

"LET her go..." I said quietly.

The thugs looked back at me.

"LET...HER...GOOOOOOOO!!!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. As I shouted, I noticed fire fly out of my mouth. My flame scortched one of the thugs.

"What's with that kid?" One of them asked.

"He must be the one from that shopping center. Y'know. The one who fainted."

They ran off, not saying a word to me, or the girl.

"Thanks you so much!" The girl said.

"Don't you think I look weird?" I asked.

"What?" The girl asked back.

"I have a set of legs that look like a dinosaur's. I've got two wings growing out of my shoulders. And... AND.."

"And you've got two finned ears." She said with a grin.

I wondered what she was talking about. I felt my ears. They were INDEED finned. They made up three sharp points, with leathery membranes in the middle.

"But you're not creeped out by how I look?" I asked.

"Why? Should I be ?"

"Well I don't even look all that human anymore." I said, my wings flattening and my finned ears also flattening.

"No. You're becoming a dragon."

"Yeah. But how'd you know?" I asked. Was she stalking me?

"HELLO! You breathed fire right in front of me and I saw your ears change shape when you were trying to protect me." She explained.

I wondered when they changed. I didn't feel a thing when I was dealing with those thugs. Maybe I was too preoccupied then?

The girl brought one of her hands to my ears and pet them. What was she doing? I wasn't a pet! Yet... I felt comfortable. I felt more relaxed. I started to mur from her petting my ears. I could feel them twitch a little. My tail wagged around happily. Part of me must've been enjoying this.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"My name is Sarah. I'm a dragon lover. I'm intrested in anything having to do with dragons. Tell me... is your name Titus Flamel?"

Jessie sighed. But agreed to let them tag along. With that, the three dragons flew into the sky and soared majestically. Titus' father dove down and unleahsed his fiercesome firey breath. Titus' mother and Angela flew aroung knocking down the wall that was suspended around the organization. The three dragons flew around the organization with the guards running by the destroyed wall. With the guards distracted, the six humans headed into the facility. Inside, it was almost like a giant factory. There were giant vats, which held the blood of the disceased dragons.

The group came to a corridor. There were two routes which leaded either right or left.

"Which one do we take?" Sarah asked.

"I guess this is where we split up." Ben said.

The group went their seperate ways for now. Ben taking Sarah and Lucas with him and Jessie taking Jackie and Kyle with her.

Ben as well as Lucas and Srah ran through the hall which had cells as far as you could see. Most of the cells appeared to be empty. The empty cells must have held the dragons that were previously captured is what the three thought.

Ben, Sarah, and Lucas continued their search for their dear friend. Ben began to get worried about Titus.

Meanwhile, Jessie and her kids searched the left corridor. Just like the right corridor, there were old cells which housed previously enslaved bay dragons. Those dragons must have been sold into slavery already.

"This place...is so horrible." Jackie stated.

"Yeah." Jessie replied. "Let's find Titus and get out of here as soon as possible."

Jessie and the kids ran through the hallway, eventually running into one of the guards around the facility.

"Crap! Just what I DON'T need!" Jessie thought to herself.

"What?! INTRUDER!" The guard exclaimed. He grabbed his walkie talkie, about to signal the other guards, however, Jackie kicked it out of his hand. It landed on the ground, in front of both of them.

Before the guard could figure out what had happened, he found himself, sitting in one of the cells. He wore nothing but a pair of boxers when he had come to. He saw Jessie, in his clothes, running past the cell. He got up and tried budging the door handle but it was locked.

Jessie and the kids continued their search. They eventually camt to a cell that contained eight baby dragons. Jessie gasped. She noticed how sad and lonely they looked. She thought that if they were going to rescuse Titus, they should try to rescue the other dragons first.

She got the keys to the cells out and, just as she was about to release the little dragons, she heard her kids' screams.

"Mommy!" The kids screamed.

She turned to see a guard holding her kids. He held a gun to Kyle's head. While he kept a firm grip on Jackie.

"You don't work here. And we don't allow kids in here either." The man said.

Jessie looked at her kids. She could see the fear in their eyes.

"If you don't want your son to die, you'd best follow me." The man said again, with a wicked smile.

He opened a cell door and threw Jackie in. He ordered Kyle to get in as well. The kids tried to run out, but the man held the gun right next to them, threating to shoot them if they tried anything.

"You next. Get your ass in there!" He ordered angerly.

"First, give me the keys you have." He said.

Angela handed the set of keys to the guard and walked onto the cell with her kids. There was nothing she could do now. She had to protect her kids. The guard locked the door and headed towards the way he came.

"The master's gonna know about this!" He exclaimed.

He walked back to the main section of the facility. It seemed as though he'd be getting his boss.

"Ben...I'm sorry." Jessie said to herself.

Meanwhile, Ben, Lucas, and Sarah headed down the hallway, eventually making it to Titus' cell. However, they were stopped by the masked man and woman.

"That's as far as you go." The woman said.

"Hey! Get out of our way!" Ben demanded.

"Now now, Benny. You shouldn't talk to us like that, your parents."

"What? My parents are...missing." Ben said, with a little bit of fear in his voice.

The man and woman removed their radiation helmets.

"No...you can't be...mom and dad. Why are you here?"

"Ben?" Sarah asked.

Many feelings ran through Ben's head. Anger,shock, sadness, even guilt. All these feelings raced through his head. He clutched his head and then lowered it. He appeared as if he were about to lose his mind. His entire body shook with fear and shock at this revelation.

"AAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!" Ben screamed. His echoe could be heard throughout the building.

At the next cell down, Titus heard the scream of his brother.

"Ben?" He thought to himself.

"Meanwhile, Angela and the kids heard the voice of a mysterious man.

"Sounds like James and Alysse's son made his way in here. He's probably going out of his mind from the shock. The shock of discovering his parents are his own adopted brother's captors." The man said, somewhat tauntingly.

The man's whole face could not be shown as the upper half was shrowded in the shadows. He had a wicked grin and a very terrifying air about him.

"His adopted brother's captives?" Jessie asked.

"Well I shouldn't say THEY themselves captured Doulstraz but they did have a hand in it."

"ENOUGH! Who are you?" Jessie demanded.

The man moved from the shadows. His eyes were pierceing. Almost like staring into true evil. His grin was still very wicked as well. He had several nosepiercings as well as slick back hair.

"I'm pleased to meet you, young lady." He said. "My name is... Saulstrance."

I woke up after having passed out yet AGAIN! I thought I had this crazy dream that instead of my reflection, a small, child dragon's reflection was in place of my own.

I got up from under the sheets. Everyone was standing around me. They looked like I had just done something pretty weird.

"What's everyone looking at?" I asked.

"Don't you feel strange?" Lucas asked.

"Why? Should I? What's going on?" I asked.

"Well, Titus. Your transformation's complete." Sarah explained.

I couldn't believe it. So the little dragon in the mirror actually WAS me. I looked at my hands. They had claws growing out of them and looked like my feet. And just like my feet, they're were only three fingers on each hand, or paw as they now were. I brought one of my paws to my face and felt my face, all the way to my new snout.

I stood up and looked at the spot I was resting in. Strands of my hair had fallen out. It was actually real. I thought my transformation would have taken longer.

"So, how's it feel, Doulstraz?" Angela asked.

I thought about that for a while. How DID it feel to me? I mean, I was born as a dragon, so getting readjusted to my real body might not be so hard.

"It...feels pretty strange. Yet...it feels cool at the same time." I said. I didn't know how else to put it.

"So this is what Titus really looks like, huh? And all this time, I thought he was just a scrawny guy." Lucas teased.

"HEY!" I shouted at Lucas. I burped up a flame, which, ironically, scorched Lucas. It didn't do terrible damage at least, which was good. I wouldnt really want to hurt Lucas.

"Geez, Titus! That hurt!" Lucas exclaimed. The upper half of his shirt burned up when I scorched him.

"Umm, Lucas, I think I should get you a new shirt." Ben said. He went upstairs to get a new shirt.

I walked around the room a little to try out my new body. Like Angela said, I could only walk on all fours so that took some getting used to. I went to the fullbody mirror Angela used to show me my completed transformation. I noticed that two beautiful horns were arched on the top of my head. My eyes were now reptilian and it seemed as if I could see things better than I could as a human.

Angela walked up to me.

"Doulstraz." Angela began.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"I think we should go back to the Dragon Realm."

"Why?" I asked.

"Well don't you want to show your mom and dad your new form? I'm sure they'd like to see what their only son looks like after he's been in a human form for his whole life." Angela said.

"Let's all go." Ben said. "Besides, this may be the last time we ever get to see Titus...I mean Doulstraz." He said. He sounded a little sad at the possibility.

"Why do you say that?" Lucas asked.

"Titus was born a dragon. His parents might want to take him back and try to start a new life with their son." Ben tried to explain.

I lowered my head. I didn't want to leave. Even though so much bad stuff had happened to me, I had grown to love my life. I didn't want to just leave the friends and family I had made. Because I knew that if I did, they'd all truly be sad.

"Ben, it's okay. I'll never leave you guys. I love being here, with all of you." I said.

Ben walked up to me and rubbed my head. Just like he did when I was a little kid.

"And I love having you here. You're a good ki--I mean dragon, Titus. Or Doulstraz I should say." Ben tried to correct himself.

"It's okay, Ben. You can still call me Titus. That HAS been my name for thirteen years after all."

Ben smiled warmly at me. He bent down and wrapped hs arms around my neck, giving me a hug.

"I'm so proud to have such a good brother. No matter what happens Titus, this will always be your home. We ARE brothers after all. Regardless of blood, and regardless of our species and who our real parents are." Ben said, I could feel a tear running down his cheek and onto my shiny green scales.

"Ben...thank you." I said. Tears ran down my face as well.

Ben got to his knees again.

"Is everyone ready?" Angela asked.

We all said yes. Ben opened the door and outside, was the portal waiting to take us back to the Dragon Realm.

"So this is the way to this Dragon Realm?" Jessie asked.

"Yeah." I said. "The realm I was originally born in."

We all walked through, together. When each one of us made it through, the portal closed behind us. Everyone elses' bodies, as well as my own flew without force to them, towards the portal to the Dragon Realm.

"This is cool!" Kyle and Jackie exclaimed.

"Are we in the Dragon Realm?" Jessie asked.

"Almost. Just another minute and we should be there." I said.

As I had said, in a minute, we made it to the Dragon Realm. It was dark, just like when we made it here last time.

I led the way to my parents' cave. everyone else followed behind me so they wouldn't get lost.

As we made it the cave, I lit the torches with my fire breath. We walked through the now lit up cave. Until we made it to the end of the cave. The end was most likely my parents' bedroom.

"Mom! Dad!" I called out.

Two shadows moved. They walked towards the light.

"Oh! Doulstraz! Is that you?" They asked.

"Yeah!" I jumped up and down happily. "I'm a dragon again!"

"He looks so happy." Sarah said.

"Do you think he'll want to stay here?" Kyle asked.

Ben didn't answer. He just looked on.

"Ben?" Jessie asked.

Ben snapped out of his daydreaming. He looked at Jessie with a bit of a sorrowful expression. I could tell he'd probably really miss me.

"Doulstraz, do you want to live with us? In the Dragon Realm?" My mom asked.

I looked at Ben. Then I looked at Jackie and Kyle. I could tell they were trying to hold back their tears. Then I looked at Sarah. She also looked as if she was about to cry. Jessie also had a look of sadness on her face. Lucas had his arm over his eyes. He, as well as everyone else probably felt sad that I might not return to the world they live in.

I walked towards mom and dad. But was stopped by Lucas.

"Wait, Titus!" Lucas exclaimed.

I turned my head over to my friends.

"So this is it? Are you really gonna be happy here? Aren't you going to miss us? We've been your friends and family your whole life. You probably never would've known about this place if you hadn't met Angela!" Lucas exclaimed. His eyes, flowing with tears.

"Lucas..." I said, sorrowfully.

"Uncle Titus! Please don't leave!" The kids shouted.

I was amazed. Even after they found out that I was actually a dragon, they still considered me their uncle.

"Guys...please don't make this harder for me." I thought.

"Titus, I only got to know you for such a short time. I really wish we could have gotten to be closer friends. Because to me...you're...you're..." Sarah couldn't finish her sentence. She started to sob.

"Titus..." Ben said next.

"You should do what'll make you happy. If you want to stay here, then who are we to stop you. This place was where you were originally born."

"Ben...big brother." I said quietly. Tears started to fill my eyes as well.

"Titus. You're by far one of the nicest people I had ever met. Even if you are a dragon, you still have us as your family." Jessie said.

"Jessie, everyone." I said.

"Doulstraz, if you want to live in the human realm, that's okay." Mom and dad said.

"We don't want to break the bonds you have with these humans. And Angela will take care of you too. Right, Angela?" They asked.

"Yeah! You guys have been my friends for so long, I figure I should do at least that much."

"Thanks, everyone." I said. Tears filled my eyes as well. This time, I was crying tears of happiness. I ran over to my friends and family as they ran towards me and gave me a hug.

"He's really become a good dragon." Mom said.

"I hope he'll be able to live happily with those humans." Dad finished.

We walked towards the exit of the cave. Upon exiting, I heard an explosion.

"What's that?" Sarah asked.

"Oh no! It's those humans again!" My parents exclaimed.

I growled at the thought of them. I had had ENOUGH of this! I ran towards where the explosion came from, hoping I'd be able to put a stop to this.